Topics Testing and Accountability

March 18, 2020

California school districts learn more about what state expects during a long shutdown

During a webinar viewed by 7,000 people, state officials encourage innovation to provide service and promise cooperation in weeks ahead.

March 18, 2020

UC Regents should consider impact of college admissions tests on public schools

UC admissions requirements should align closely with California's K-12 curriculum standards.

March 3, 2020

California’s largest district rolls out seal of approval for STEM schools

Los Angeles Unified is encouraging STEM schools to get a certificate indicating that the school meets high standards set by the district.

March 2, 2020

Plan to cut PE test — and its body-fat measurement — in California sparks debate

Fitness testing too often causes anxiety and shame among students, officials say.

February 7, 2020

California Science Test Results: 2019

Search for your school or district's 2018-19 scores on the new California Science Test.

January 15, 2020

San Francisco Bay Area parents declare state of emergency over district’s failure to educate black children

Parents want the district to allocate $7.2 million to improve services for the district’s 5,000 African-American students.

December 16, 2019

Don't blame tests for differences in educational quality and access

Colleges would miss out on valuable information about student readiness if they eliminate test scores from the admissions process.

December 12, 2019

Some ratings rise in 3rd year of California School Dashboard

Fewer districts will require help from county offices, but colors tell a bigger story; disparities among student groups persist.

December 3, 2019

U.S. math scores remain flat on international test of 15-year-olds

U.S. math scores have not budged significantly since 2003 on the worldwide assessment.

October 31, 2019

Shorter, clearer (but maybe not more transparent) school accountability plan coming

The state board will deliver an LCAP template that will be easier to read, but it probably still won't be easy to follow the money.

October 30, 2019

Reading scores drop in California, most states in much-watched national test

Nationwide scores on NAEP stalled for a decade in 4th and 8th grade while California's slowly rose – latest dip in 8th grade reading notwithstanding

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis

October 13, 2019

Gov. Newsom vetoes allowing districts to substitute SAT for 11th grade state test

In veto message, Newsom says giving districts the test option would widen inequities in college admission that the bill was intended to narrow.

October 11, 2019

For better insights into California's new test results, look at achievement over time

Analytical tools that are available but not used can help schools better understand how to improve student performance.

October 9, 2019

Slow growth, big disparities after 5 years of Smarter Balanced tests

Average scores have been rising in English language arts, but dropping in math as students progress through middle and high school — a cause for worry.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis

October 9, 2019

What will it take to make headway on student achievement?

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond says that key priorities, among other things, should be improving teacher preparedness and qualifications and building a more diverse teaching force in California.